Paint tray and companion applicator

ABSTRACT

A paint tray and applicator combination, the applicator having a handle and a transversely oriented pad at one end of the handle, the other end of the handle being longitudinally slotted; and the tray having a paint holding portion defined by a bottom, three generally upright walls and one upwardly inclined wall, with a tray handle extending outwardly from the upright wall generally opposite the inclined wall, the tray handle being recessed to nestably receive the applicator handle and having an upstanding pin to impale the slot in the applicator handle.

United States Patent John A. Pharris Milwaukee, Wis. 782,971

Dec. 11, 1968 July 6, 1971 E Z Paintr Corporation [72] Inventor [21 Appl. No. 122] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] PAINT TRAY AND COMPANION APPLICATOR 9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] 11.5. C1 401/118, 15/210, 15/257.06,206/15.1 R, 206/D1G. 8, 401/195 [51] 1nt.C1 .rA46b 11/00 [50] Field of Search 401/118,

119,121,126,127,128,129,130,195, 208; 248/1l0,1ll;211/65;151257.05, 257.06, 210, 244.4; 220/1; 206/47; Des64/18 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,555,810 6/1951 Parsons 248/110 2,637,871 12/1953 Moser 15/244 2,661,858 l-lowell 15/257.06 2,794,199 6/1957 Schueler.. 401/121 2,798,239 7/1957 Freund.... 401/118X 3,087,190 4/1963 Werner 401/121 3,110,921 11/1963 Conner 15/257.06 3,369,268 2/1968 Burns 15/210 3,331,876 5/1968 Biggins.... 206/47 X 3,406,812 10/1968 Henry 206/47 X 3,409,932 11/1968 George 248/110 X Primary Examiner-Harland S. Skogquist Attorney-Hofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman and McCord ABSTRACT: A paint tray and applicator combination, the applicator having a handle and a transversely oriented pad at one end of the handle, the other end of the handle being longitudinally slotted; and the tray having a paint holding portion defined by a bottom, three generally upright walls and one upwardly inclined wall, with a tray handle extending outwardly from the upright wall generally opposite the inclined wall, the tray handle being recessed to nestably receive the applicator handle and having an upstanding pin to impale the slot in the applicator handle.

PATENIEB JUL 6 I97! SHEET 1 BF 2 PATENIEBJUL SIS?! 3,59]. 299

sum 2 BF 2 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION l. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to paint appliances and, more particularly, to an improvement in a paint tray and companion applicator to be used therewith.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art The use of trays having an inclined bottom and three upright walls for serving as a paint holding vessel is well known in the art. In the past, rollerlike applicators have been used most frequently to pick up paint from the tray and apply the paint to a desired surface. These two appliances have been, for the most part, used primarily with each other and yet packaging and storage of the two together has been difficult in that the roller, with its revolving cylindrical body and elongate handle, is not well received within the paint tray.

Recently, the use of padlike applicators has become increasingly popular. These pads may also be used with paint trays to pick up, and apply, paint held within the tray. However, packaging and/or storage of these padlike applicators within the well known trays has also been problematical and cumbersome.

Accordingly, a need or desire has arisen in the art for a paint tray which can be utilized to store paint applicators for retail packaging and after use thereof by a consumer; and for a paint applicating tool which can be stored within a paint tray.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to the provision of a paint tray which may be utilized to store a paint applicating tool therein for both retail packaging and after use purposes; and for a paint tool which can be utilized to be stored within said paint tray.

The best mode currently contemplated by me for carrying out the invention includes the provision ofa tray having a bottom, three upright walls and one upwardly inclined wall. A handle extends outwardly from the top of the upright wall opposite the inclined wall. The handle has a longitudinally extending central recessed channel which opens through the sidewall. The bottom of the recess has an upstanding pin.

The best mode also includes the provision of an applicator having an elongate handle and a transversely oriented applieator pad at one end of the handle. The pad lies in a plane which is inclined relative to the plane of the handle. The opposite end of the handle is ofa size and shape to be nestably received within the tray channel and is slotted in an appropriate area to receive the pin thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view ofa tray and applicator made in accordance with the principles of this invention with the tray shown hanging from a pin projecting outwardly from a walllike surface;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the tray and applicator of this invention',

FIG. 3 is a section view taken through the applicator of this invention generally along the lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken through the tray and applicator of this invention generally along the lines 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a section view through the tray handle taken generally along the lines 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a section view similar to FIG. 4 showing the applicator in use with the tray; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the applicator of this invention in use.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles ofthe invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention is directed to the provision of a paint tray 10 and an applicator or tool 12 to be used therewith. As shown in FIG. I, the tray and tool are particularly suited for storage or packaging purposes such as for hanging the combination on a wall-like surface 14 having a pin or spindle I6 projecting outwardly therefrom on which the tray is impaled.

Turning first to the tray, preferably the tray 10 is made of a suitable, generally shape retaining rigid material such as a plastic or the like. The tray includes a flat generally rectangular bottom wall 18 and two generally parallel upright sidewalls 20 and 22. The two upright sidewalls. 20 and 22 are spanned by a generally upright rear wall 24 which may be slightly inclined relative to bottom 18. Opposite rear wall 24, the upright sidewalls 20 and 22 are spanned by an inclined front wall 26 which, in the illustrated embodiment, is inclined at approximately 45" to the plane of the base 18. Walls 20, 22 and 26 terminate in flanges or lips 26, 30 and 32, respectively. Rear wall 24 terminates at its upward end in a generally flat rearwardly extending handle or tongue 34 which is generally parallel to the base 18 and in a vertically offset plane relative thereto.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2, handle 34 is generally truncated triangular in plan, including converging edges 36 and 38 which are similarly flanges as are edges 28, 20 and 32, and which terminate in a generally truncated end 40. Handle 34 is provided with a generally longitudinally extending medially positioned recess or channel 42. Channel 42 includes a bottom 44 which is vertically offset below the plane of tongue 34 but above the plane of base 18, and. two generally upright sidewalls 46 and 48- which, in the illustrated embodiment, slightly converge toward each other in plan. tlidewalls 46 and 48 tenninate in a rear wall 50 but open at 52 through the rear wall 24 of the tray. A pin 54 projects upwardly from the bottom 44 of the channel 42 preferably near the rear wall 50 thereof. The channel as described herein provides a means for generally nestably receiving the handle of an applicator element. In addition, the pin 54 forms part of the means for maintaining the applicator handle in nestable relationship with the tray as will be explained later. For hanging the tray on a wall as shown in FIG. I, an opening 56 is provided near truncated end 40.

Turning now to the tool or applicator 12 of this invention, the tool includes a generally elongate handle 58 made of a suitable generally shape retaining or rigid material such as a plastic or the like. Handle 58 includes a. medial portion 60 and depending sides 62 terminating in inclined trailing edges 62a. The proximal end of the handle 60 is slotted as at 68. In addition, this portion of the handle preferably is of a size and shape to be nestably received within the bottom and sidewalls of channel 42.

The opposite or distal end of handle 60 includes outwardly diverging legs 70 and 72 which project laterally outwardly from sidewall 62 and terminate in reduced feet 74 and 76, respectively. The feet are detachably connected to backing member 78 by being received in upstanding ears 80 and 82, respectively. The backing member forms part of the applicator pad 84 and has secured thereto an intermediate member 86 to which there is applied a paint transfer applicating surface 88. Intermediate member 36, backing member 76 and applicating surface 88 all form part of the applicator pad 84 which is detachably secured to the handle 58 by means of the arrangement described herein.

In FIG. 7, the applicator I2 is shown in use for painting a casing 88 around a window or opening 90 by being grasped in the hands 92 of a user. FIG. 6 illustrates the use of the applicator in withdrawing a quantity of paint 94 from the tray 10. As shown in dotted outline position, the applicator is first placed in the center portion of the tray to pick up a quantity of paint 94 thereon, Then the applicator is withdrawn against the inclined wall 26 to remove the excess paint in conventional fashion before utilizing the applicator to apply paint to a surface 88.

As can best be seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, when the applicator and tray are not in use, they may be nested together in assembled relationship to form a compact unit occupying a minimum space with no handle portions or the like projecting outwardly from the tray. This provides a means for neatly packaging the components together in a compact package. In addition, for the user, after periods of use the components may be easily stored together. One such manner of storage is that shown in FIG. 1 where the assembly is shown hung from a spindle 16 which extends through the opening 56. Also, the components could be stored in a generally horizontal fashion and a plurality of such units could be horizontally disposed one upon the other in a convenient fashion if desired. Thus, this invention provides a tray which is capable of nestably receiving an applicator in a compact relationship therewith, an applicator which may be accordingly compactly received within a tray and the combination of tray and applicator having the aforementioned characteristics.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

lclaim:

1. In combination, a paint tray and applicator, comprising: an applicator having a generally elongate handle and an applicator surface at one end of the handle, the applicator surface being transverse to the extent of the handle; and a tray including a body having a bottom, sidewalls, a generally upright rear wall terminating in an upper edge and an upwardly extending forward wall, the tray further including a handle projecting rearwardly from the upper edge of the rear wall and being offset from said bottom, with recessed means in the tray handle for receiving the applicator handle and holding the same in nestable relationship within the confines of the tray walls when the applicator handle is assembled in relationship with the tray handle.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the receiving means on the tray handle includes one of a slot and abutment element and the applicator handle is provided with the other of said elements.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the tray handle is provided with a channel extending in a forwardly to rearwardly direction, the channel being generally of a size and shape to nestably receive the applicator handle.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the applicator handle is apertured and means are provided in the tray handle channel for impaling the applicator handle aperture.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the aperture has a forward and rear end and the forward end of the aperture is located, relative to the applicator surface, to position the applicator surface in close proximity to the tray rear wall when the tray is oriented with the tray handle extending generally uprightly.

6. A paint tray comprising a body having a bottom, a generally upright rear wall having a lower portion extending upwardly from the bottom terminating in an upper portion, sidewalls and an upwardly extending forward wall; a handle projecting rearwardly from an upper portion of the rear wall offset from said bottom; and recessed means in the tray handle for nestably receiving an applicator handle and to hold an applicator within the confines of the tray wallsv 7. The tray of claim 6 wherein the receiving means in the tray handle includes a forwardly to rearwardly extending slot.

8. The tray of claim 7 wherein the receiving means in the handle further includes an impaling member in said forwardly to rearwardly extending slot.

9. In combination with the paint tray of claim 6, an applicator havin a generally elongate handle, an applicating element connecte to said handle and extending generally transversely relative thereto in plan, with said handle extending generally obtusely relative to said applicator handle in side elevation and wherein said upwardly extending forward wall of said tray also extends generally obtusely relative to the bottom of the tray. 

1. In combination, a paint tray and applicator, comprising: an applicator having a generally elongate handle and an applicator surface at one end of the handle, the applicator surface being transverse to the extent of the handle; and a tray including a body having a bottom, sidewalls, a generally upright rear wall terminating in an upper edge and an upwardly extending forward wall, the tray further including a handle projecting rearwardly from the upper edge of the rear wall and being offset from said bottom, with recessed means in the tray handle for receiving the applicator handle and holding the same in nestable relationship within the confines of the tray walls when the applicator handle is assembled in relationship with the tray handle.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the receiving means on the tray handle includes one of a slot and abutment element and the applicator handle is provided with the other of said elements.
 3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the tray handle is provided with a channel extending in a forwardly to rearwardly direction, the channel being generally of a size and shape to nestably receive the applicator handle.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the applicator handle is apertured and meAns are provided in the tray handle channel for impaling the applicator handle aperture.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein the aperture has a forward and rear end and the forward end of the aperture is located, relative to the applicator surface, to position the applicator surface in close proximity to the tray rear wall when the tray is oriented with the tray handle extending generally uprightly.
 6. A paint tray comprising a body having a bottom, a generally upright rear wall having a lower portion extending upwardly from the bottom terminating in an upper portion, sidewalls and an upwardly extending forward wall; a handle projecting rearwardly from an upper portion of the rear wall offset from said bottom; and recessed means in the tray handle for nestably receiving an applicator handle and to hold an applicator within the confines of the tray walls.
 7. The tray of claim 6 wherein the receiving means in the tray handle includes a forwardly to rearwardly extending slot.
 8. The tray of claim 7 wherein the receiving means in the handle further includes an impaling member in said forwardly to rearwardly extending slot.
 9. In combination with the paint tray of claim 6, an applicator having a generally elongate handle, an applicating element connected to said handle and extending generally transversely relative thereto in plan, with said handle extending generally obtusely relative to said applicator handle in side elevation and wherein said upwardly extending forward wall of said tray also extends generally obtusely relative to the bottom of the tray. 